Effect of Fluorine Incorporation on DLC Films Deposited by Pulsed Cathodic Arc Deposition on Nitrile Butadiene Rubber and Polyurethane Rubber Substrates

Lijie Zhang,Bing He,Xiaoming Yuan,Xuemei Zong,Fei Guo

doi:10.3390/coatings10090878

Abstract

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and fluorinated diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) films were deposited via pulsed cathodic arc deposition on pretreated nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyurethane (PU) rubber substrates. Both DLC and F-DLC films showed a more than 50% decrease in coefficients of friction compared to uncoated NBR and PU rubber substrates. The incorporation of fluorine was found to have little influence on the film coefficient of friction. However, a decrease in film wettability was overserved in the F-DLC films compared to the DLC films.

Highlights

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been extensively studied due to their excellent properties: low coefficient of friction [1], anticorrosion [2], high hardness [3] and self-lubricating ability [4]
With a thin layer of fluorinated diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) film coated on the surface, the rubber component can be protected from wear and degradation
This study has investigated the effect of fluorine incorporation on DLC films deposited by pulsed cathodic arc deposition on nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyurethane (PU) rubber substrates

Summary

Introduction

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been extensively studied due to their excellent properties: low coefficient of friction [1], anticorrosion [2], high hardness [3] and self-lubricating ability [4] Owing to these characteristics, DLC films are widely applied in the surface coating industry, such as in cutting tools [5], hydraulic components [6], automotive components [7] and rubber seals [8]. Nobili and Guglielmini studied the thermal stability and mechanical properties of fluorinated diamond-like carbon coatings prepared by a plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition method, and found that film hardness and fluorine content decreased with increasing annealing time at 500 ◦ C [15]. This study has investigated the effect of fluorine incorporation on DLC films deposited by pulsed cathodic arc deposition on nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyurethane (PU) rubber substrates

Experimental Methods

Discussion

Conclusions